Surging Michigan snaps 15-year drought in Madison

Nik Stauskas, passing over Wisconsin’s Josh Gasser (21), Traevon Jackson (12) and Frank Kaminsky during the second half, scores 23 and hits a key 3-pointer with less than a minute left in the game to help Michigan earn its first win in Madison since 1999.

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Nik Stauskas played it cool in front of a raucous road crowd, hitting a clutch shot late in the game that helped Michigan hold on for a rare win at Wisconsin.

Stauskas scored 23, including his key 3 with less than a minute left, and the Wolverines fended off a late surge for a 77-70 victory Saturday over the third-ranked Badgers, who lost their second straight after a school-best 16-0 start.

Stauskas said his first thought was to go to the rim, but he noticed that defender Nigel Hayes was overplaying him.

"He kind of slid forward a little bit and I was open for 3, and I just tried to be aggressive and shoot it," Stauskas said.

Caris LeVert added 20 for the Wolverines (13-4, 5-0 Big Ten), who celebrated a victory in Madison for the first time since 1999.

But wins don't come easy at the Kohl Center for any team, and the Badgers (16-2, 3-2) made it difficult for Michigan in nearly overcoming a 15-point deficit.

Wisconsin went on a 14-2 run late, and Ben Brust's putback got them within 68-67 with about two minutes left.

But after whiffing on a 3 from the right wing, Stauskas hit his step-back 3 from the left side to give Michigan a 71-67 lead.

"That step back is so fast, and that release is so fast," Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan said. "He's quick, he's like a cat."

NO. 2 SYRACUSE 59, NO. 22 PITT 54: Freshman point guard Tyler Ennis had 16 points, including two driving layups and two free throws in the final two minutes, and the host Orange (18-0, 5-0 ACC) rallied past the Panthers (16-2, 4-1) in a battle for first in the league between the former Big East rivals.

NO. 4 MICH. ST. 78, ILLINOIS 62: Gary Harris had 23 points and Denzel Valentine 11 rebounds for the visiting Spartans (17-1, 6-0 Big Ten), who stayed on top of the league with their 10th straight win.

NO. 5 WICHITA ST. 68, INDIANA ST. 48: Ron Baker had 16 points as the host Shockers (19-0, 6-0 MVC) extended the school records for winning streak and start to a season.

NO. 6 VILLANOVA 88, DEPAUL 62: James Bell had 17 points and eight rebounds, and the host Wildcats (16-1, 5-0 Big East) made 19 of 26 shots (73 percent) in the second half.

TEXAS 86, NO. 8 IOWA ST. 76: Jonathan Holmes scored 23 for the host Longhorns, who sent the Cyclones (14-3, 2-3 Big 12) to their first three-game losing streak since the 2010-11 season.

USF 63, UCF 38: Courtney Anderson had 18 points for the visiting Bulls (9-8, 4-2 AAC), who held the Knights (8-9, 1-5) to 14-of-57 shooting from the field (24 percent) to improve to 3-0 in conference road games.